Blight Inoculations on Hybrid Chestnuts – Chestnut Return Farm, Seneca, SC, April 17, 2025

Today, several hybrid chestnut trees were inoculated with a fungal culture of Cryphonectria parasitica, which causes chestnut blight, to evaluate the resistance of each tree, at Dr. Joe James’s Chestnut Return Farm. Jamie Van Clief, TACF’s Southern Regional Science Coordinator, directed volunteers for this important work. Clemson professor Dr. Haiying Liang and her students, Roger and Sky, participated. Also, Katie Biggert, from the South Carolina Forestry Commission inoculated trees. Peggy MacDonald, NC/SC Chapter President was also present to help.

Jamie demonstrated the method of inoculating trees with the fungus.

Dr. Joe James with Clemson student Roger.

Clemson students Roger and Sky inoculating hybrid chestnut trees.

Dr. Haiying Liang inoculating chestnut hybrids with Sky and Roger. This was a great hands-on experience for her students.

A healthy F1 American/Chinese hybrid chestnut at the Chestnut Return Farm.

Dr. Joe James with the volunteers on a beautiful spring day.

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The American Chestnut Foundation

2 days ago

Learn more about this remarkable standing American chestnut in the article “We The People: How Iowa Is Part of the Effort to Save the Rare American Chestnut Tree.” Courtesy of Grace Vance and KCRG.

Visit: www.ktiv.com/2026/01/12/we-people-how-iowa-is-part-effort-save-rare-american-chestnut-tree/

#americanchestnut #chestnuts #restoration #conservation #explorepage ... See MoreSee Less

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Georgia has a stand of chestnut trees in a secret location. Can they borrow some pollen from this tree to add to their breeding collection? They need a varied gene pool for the future.

A guy named Bill Deeter has just recently observed that trees that have crown gall seem to be warding off the blight. Im really hoping that this will bring back the longevity of the American Chestnut

My Neighbors have a vet old chestnut tree - they have contacted several conservation groups about getting a sapling of a second . So it would produce chestnuts once again-

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The American Chestnut Foundation

4 days ago

A month ago, our President and CEO, Michael Goergen, got to visit the New York Botanical Garden and see the original documentation of chestnut blight taken from a tree in the Bronx Zoo. Feeling a sense of inspiration from the experience, Michael wrote, "Holding that bark brings both grief and resolve. Grief for what was lost. Resolve for the work ahead.

Because for the first time since 1905, we are no longer documenting decline.
We are documenting return.

The American chestnut is not a memory. It is a restoration mission and The American Chestnut Foundation is building the tools and partnerships to finish what Merkel, Murrill, and others could not.

Seeing the original blight records didn’t make the work feel more challenging. It made it feel inevitable.

Restoration is the next chapter. We get to write it."

#explorepage #americanchestnut #history #chestnuts #learn #nature #forestry #trees #blight #restoration #conservation ... See MoreSee Less

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Whoo hoo! Sorry, you were not the first to know this. The Chestnut Lady.

The American Chestnut Foundation

6 days ago

Our New England Regional Science Coordinator, Deni Ranguelova, made an appearance on the podcast "Across the Fence" to discuss the American chestnut tree and why we are working to restore them.

Check out the podcast on Youtube at youtu.be/c9EeOc5WIaE?si=80CQtoY4-qeQhjtI

#americanchestnut #chestnuts #podcast #history #restoration #conservation #nature #forestry #explorepage ... See MoreSee Less

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So like Covid?

I have 70+ new Dunstan hybrids going in this spring, sprouted in my fridge in peat moss right now. They're going out into a 1 acre area on my 18 acres of wooded land in the Poconos. I'm planning to add Italian and Chinese chestnuts next year and let the natural pollination process produce its own hybrids and resistance over time.

This was all because someone in upstate Delaware thought it would be a good idea to grow a Chinese chestnut in their yard so they could show it off to their friends.

The American Chestnut Foundation

1 week ago

New year, new opportunities! Now’s the perfect time to get involved with the American chestnut. 🌱

Check out our January & February events and join the movement!

Visit out events calendar for more info on each event

#americanchestnut #events #volunteer #pennsylvania #castaneapa #Maine #rhodeisland #pennstate #chestnuts #explorepage ... See MoreSee Less

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The American Chestnut Foundation

2 weeks ago

TACF is hiring both a Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regional Science Coordinator! Support volunteer-led science programs, work hands-on with chestnut restoration, and connect regional chapters with national research efforts. If you have experience with tree breeding and selection programs, leading volunteer events, orchard management, or are passionate about the return of American chestnut to its native range, we encourage you to apply.

The link to apply and more details can be found here: tacf.org/employment/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Blight Inoculations on Hybrid Chestnuts – Chestnut Return Farm, Seneca, SC, April 17, 2025

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